Ventilator assembly and method of installing same

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a ventilator assembly and method for removing kitchen exhaust fumes entrained in a moving air stream from an area surrounding a cooking unit. A roof-top blower moves the air stream from the cooking area through an air duct to the atmosphere. An overhanging hood defines a ventilation opening located above the cooking unit. One or more air vents are formed in a top wall of the hood and communicate with the air duct. The hood back panel has upper and lower longitudinal flanges, the lower flanges of which nests in a wall-mounted underlying first bracket securely earlier mounted on the kitchen side wall, while the hood upper flange is overlapped and retained by a second bracket holding the hood in an upright functional position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a ventilator assembly, and a method forremoving exhaust fumes from an area surrounding a cooking unit,particularly such as are used in restaurants and other commercial foodpreparation areas. Such assemblies are known in the art, and typicallyinclude a ventilation hood located above the cooking unit and attachedto a bearing and/or overhead wall of the kitchen. A typical prior artassembly includes a roof-top or outside blower in communication with thehood to pull air from the cooking area to the outside. Kitchen exhaustfumes generated by the cooking unit and entrained in the air stream arepulled upwardly through the ventilation opening. One or more filters aregenerally located in the hood for filtering the exhaust fumes from thesurrounding air stream as the air stream is passed through theventilation opening of the hood to the atmosphere.

A ventilator assembly of the present invention is particularly suitedfor use in a fast food restaurant where food is prepared in largequantities on an open fryer or grill surface or in a deep fryer. Thismethod of cooking produces grease-contaminated, exhaust fumes which mustbe moved upwardly away from the cooking area. Once removed from thecooking area, the fumes are captured, and the filtered air stream isdispersed into the atmosphere outside of the restaurant.

Prior art ventilator assemblies are subject to several disadvantages andstruggle to meet safety standards. The well-recognized, and followed,NFPA Code 96, directed to kitchen exhaust hoods, does not allow forneeded wall fasteners to penetrate hood panels without taking addedsteps to ensure there are no fumes or grease leakage from the hoodinterior. Such fastener preclusion avoids the resort to panel weldingand polishing. Towards this end, hood makers resort to top-mountedbrackets to hold up the hood securely. If such prior art specialbrackets/rods are not used, it is difficult to meet the NFPA Code 96installation constraints.

To conform to their needs, the prior art hoods are suspended fromkitchen ceiling using externally mounted brackets with connectingdepending rods. Less complex, but still effective means of meeting NFPAcodes are desirable and are addressed by the present invention.Presently taught exhaust hoods are adapted to the reduced effort ininstallation and do so: (1) Make the use of costly hanging rodsunnecessary; (2) ease hood positioning to conform to Code demands; (3)and preclude resort to added welding to fire-proof external panelpenetrations by fasteners through the hood panels themselves.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a ventilator assemblylocated above a cooking unit which is handily installed and stilleffectively draws away kitchen exhaust fumes from an area surroundingthe cooking unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide an exhaust hood assemblyand installation method therefore that allows for easy installation ofan off-the-shelf exhaust hood structure by service persons in the field.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for moreprecisely positioning off-the-shelf exhaust hoods on the support backwall, without need of excessive adjusting and measuring, such asswinging or height adjustments to compensate for the standardtop-mounted hoods.

It is still another object to provide on top-mounted hoods that conformto an NFPA Code 96, but which require no penetration of the internalpanels of the hoods by fasteners, precluding the resort of welding ofhood to support brackets.

A yet further object is the preclusion to resort of speciallyconfigured, mounting brackets, which usually serve to effect hoodmounting in order to maintain NFPA code requirements that exhaust hoodsmust necessarily be conformed to.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is now provided a hood-likeventilation assembly for removing kitchen exhaust fumes, in which thestove-overhanging, hood component defines the ventilation means to belocated over the kitchen stove, with the hood having a top panel withone or more air vents in the top panel; a front panel, spaced-apart,side panels, and a specially-configured, vertical back panel; the backpanel having along each of its lower and upper horizontal edges, asubstantially linear, projecting an upper first and lower second rigidflanges that maintain the hood box-like configuration, and which backpanel flanges serve as the mating and anchoring elements of the hood,adapted for the mounting thereof solely upon the back support wall forthe entire ventilation assembly.

There is further provided an underlying elongate first bracket member,having an open, channel-like configuration when viewed in vertical crosssection, with the first member being fixedly mounted on a vertical backsupport wall while nesting therein of the lower first rigid flange ofthe hood. An overlying, elongate second bracket member is provided witha configuration when seen in vertical cross section, which is adapted toengage and maintain the upper second rigid flange of the back panel inclose abutment with the back support wall, and a fumes and grease filterelement positioned transversely within the venting hood and adapted forremoving the fumes from the moving airstream during the course ofventilation hood utilization.

In a preferred embodiment, the lower first bracket member, with itschannel-like vertical configuration, engages the flange-like dependingprotrusion of the lower horizontal edge of the hood, with the firstbracket member being sized to secure the depending protrusion in closecontact. Also in a preferred embodiment, the depending protrusion of theback panel lower edge is provided with an outwardly slanted leadingedge, adapted to contact and retain the lowermost edge of the hoodfilter element. Also in a preferred embodiment, the upper second bracketmember is provided with a first longitudinal segment adapted to engageand retain the upper second flange of the back panel in abutment to thesupport wall, while an integral second longitudinal segment of thesecond bracket is fixedly mounted to the support wall for the ventassembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view in vertical section of a buildingventing system, including a conventional prior art exhaust duct assemblyfor a kitchen depicting the off wall location of the hood venting means;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, side elevational view of how a venting hoodassembly of the venting system of FIG. 1 that was erected using priorart installation components and procedures;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an odor venting hood mounted upon apaneled bearing wall, also depicting the exhaust duct cutout in the hood(duct omitted for clarity of view), such hood having been installedaccording to use of the components of present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective and exploded view of the operative components ofthe hood assembly of FIG. 3, seen in the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view in the vent hood mounting procedure,depicting the initial step of placing the underlying hood elongatesupport bracket now being as seen mounted on the pre-paneled bearingwall of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged end elevational view in vertical section of theinstalled venting hood of FIGS. 3 and 4, better depicting injuxtaposition all the assembled components of the already installedventing system.

FIG. 7 is another enlarged and elevational view, in vertical section,better showing how the planar filter element is functionally positionedand how the hood assembly is mounted securely upon the bearing wall;

FIG. 8U and 8L are broken-out, enlarged views in vertical sections ofthe lower and upper support means for the hood depicting in greaterdetail the dual means of hood securement; and

FIGS. 9U and 9L are a broken out, enlarged view in vertical section,also of the upper and lower secured bracket support means for the hood,seen in greater detail, depicting the dual means of hood assembly forsecure wall mounting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A conventional exhaust duct assembly 10 enclosed by a vertical conduitis shown schematically in the prior art arrangement of FIG. 1. Ittypically included a vertically-aligned exhaust fan duct 12 thatpenetrates one or more building floorings 16 and 24, and has ensconcedat the upper longitudinal end, a powered outward exhaust fan 18, with anassociated grease trap (not seen). The exhaust is mounted outside theroof 20 on the building. Proximal to the lower longitudinal end 12L ofduct assembly 10 is a bearing side wall 22, with a thereon mountedexhaust hood, generally 24, being substantially offset above the basefloor 14, and mounted overlying a cooking device 26, such as acommercial, multi-burner cook stove. Such an exhaust hood 24 is anessential feature of all commercial kitchens, which must conform tobuilding code requirements, including use of non-combustible materialsfor constructions and particularly proper modes of arranging andsecuring the operative components.

In the schematic side elevational view of FIG. 2, there is depicted atypical set up for ceiling mounting and wall securing of the ventinghood in the kitchen area above a stove, in the manner of the prior artinstallations. Hood 24A is suspended by a pair of cables 28L and 28R,which, in turn, are anchored to overhead ceiling fixtures, 30L and 30L,at the upper cable ends; and below to mounting fixtures, 32L/R, eachaffixed to the upper horizontal panel 34 of the prior art venting hood24A. Also several elongate bolts, like 34U/L, connect the hood packpanel 34B to the support side wall 36, which wall abuts the hood, andwhich also overlies the stove 26A itself. The complexity and workmanshipneeded to safely and durably install such a kitchen exhaust hood ismanifestly significant when looking at the prior art configuration ofFIG. 2.

In the present case, a similarly configured exhaust hood 38, but havingbeen wall mounted according to the present invention, is depicted in theperspective view of FIG. 3. A bearing side wall 40, perhaps of stackedbricks as depicted, provides a solid facade for supporting a variablenumber of planar metallic modules, 42A/B, and the associatedmodule-mounted, exhaust hood 38 of the present configuration. Thesidewall-fastened planar modules, 42, serves as the mounting surface forthe hood, while there provide a firmer support manes against the brickwall for the use of conventional fasteners (not seen).

Note that the present hood is solely wall-mounted, which precludes theneed for the use of ceiling-depending support rods, 28L/R of FIG. 2. Theupper panel 44 of hood 38 is also provided with a rectangle shaped,cutout 46, which will be operably joined at installation time with aventing duct (not shown), but arranged to look like the exhaust fan duct12L of FIG. 1. Air vents are formed in the top wall of hood 38, that arein communication with the air exhaust duct 12 of FIG. 1. An underlyingkitchen stove (not seen) is usually positioned under exhaust hood 38, asdepicted in FIGS. 1 & 2. The upper edges of conjoined modules 42 aresecured to a back wall 40 (FIG. 2) by rigid channel member 48 withplural fasteners, like metal screws, 49A-F.

In the exploded view of FIG. 4, the key installation components ofmountable exhaust hood 38, to be configured and conjoined according tothe present invention, are conveniently depicted. Such includesunderlying, an elongate rigid support bracket 50, which present anupwardly oriented, open channel 52 , which trough is sized to nesteasily the first lower rigid flange 54 of the back panel 56 of the hood38. Seen in vertical cross-section of FIG. 6, bracket 50 presents aU-shaped, elongate trough 52. This lower support bracket 50 also appliesplural fastener elements, 58A-D, which will affix this elongate bracketto rigid back wall modules 42A/B.

Also seen is a standard particulate filter 60 normally positioned whollywithin the hood 38, as depicted in FIG. 1, being in aninwardly/downwardly oriented juxtaposition. The filter element itselfpresents a serrated/recessed surface, such as seen in corrugatedcontainers for products. Such filters are available from ComponentHardware Group of Lakewood, N.J. However, the filter does not comprise apart of the present invention, but is a standard component ofstove-exhaust hood assemblies. Note the single squared opening 46 inupper stove panel to hood panel 44, to which an exhaust duct assembly(not seen) will be operably connected.

Hood 38 is seen as oriented ready to be nested along its lower flange54, in the to be side wall mounted, horizontal, support bracket 50.

In the elevational view of FIG. 5, is shown the first step of achievinga side wall mounted exhaust hood by securing an first elongate, rigidsupport bracket 50 to side wall 42, at a height of up to four feet abovethe surface of a cooking stove (not seen). Underlying bracket 50 is wallmounted fixedly with conventional fasteners, 58A/D, at spaced-apartlocations, perhaps coincident with any vertical studs (not seen) towhich the support wall module 42 is abutting.

Also seen above hood 38 is a horizontally-aligned, elongate rigidbracket 62, which functions as a retaining and flange-pinning means uponengaging the uppermost rigid flange 64 of hood 38 (FIG. 4). An overlyingbracket 62 has two elongate segments, 62U and 62L. The lower segment 62Lis offset from the conjoined integral upper segment 62U, so as to beadapted to overlap upper flange 62 of hood 38. After the hood low flange54 is nested in the underlying bracket 50, the hood is rotated to theupright position depicted, being temporarily, and manually held there.With hood 38 now flush against support wall 42, the upper bracket 62 ispositioned overlying flange 64, then is affixed to the support wall 42along the uppermost segment, 62U, which flange is in flush contact withthe support wall 42.

The final result is depicted in FIG. 3, where the engagement of upperbracket 62 and flange 64 is evident.

Similarly, a plurality of mounting fasteners, 66A-66D (bolts or screws)are employed to anchor offset upper bracket 62 to the support wall,along its upper segment 62U. The vertical cross sectional configurationof the upper bracket 62 is first depicted in FIG. 8U and 9U.

In sum, first installing the lower bracket 50 (FIG. 5) fixedly to thesupport wall; then hood 38 is nested along its lower flange 54, intrough 52 of underlying support bracket 50; the hood is rotated to theupright position until upper flange 64 is in contact with back wall 42and is held thereto. Upper bracket 62 is arrayed overlapping hood upperflange 64, then fastened to the back wall. After both well-mountedbrackets are fixedly set, then the transient manual support for themounted hood is ended with the end result depicted in FIG. 3.

In the side elevational view of FIG. 6, a means of positioning andretaining a filter element 60 is depicted. Depending from upper hoodpanel 44 is a clamp-like, bracket 70 which engages the upper outwardedge 72U of filter 60. The lower horizontal edge 72L of the filtercontacts hood back panel 56 and also abuts an inclined leading edge 74of lower flange 54 of panel 56 support.

The enlarged vertical sectional view of FIG. 7 shows the details of thedual opposing, horizontal brackets supporting hood assembly 38, andassociated filter 60. The lowermost flange 54 of hood 38 present aU-shaped, depending projection 54P, which projection is sized to nestsnugly in the complemental U-shaped channel 52 of lower support bracket50. Projection 54P is further provided with an outwardly slanted leadingedge 74, which contacts the outer surface of the filter lower edge 72L,and holds the inner surface resting against back panel 56, until thelatter is manually dislodged for servicing or replacement. Thisfacilitates the channel of protrusion 54P serving as a grease trap.

FIGS. 8U and 8L are broken out, enlarged views of the major supportbrackets. Better seen is the trough-like configuration of lower bracket50, and the offset, dual segmented, configuration of upper bracket 62.Similarly, FIGS. 9U and 9L depict, in finer detail, the mating of thehood support components. Flange-like protrusion 54P nests within brackettrough 52, while the hood protrusion also contacts filter lower edge72L; hood upper flange 64 contacts abutting support module 42; andwall-anchored modules 42 abut with overlapping upper bracket 62, whichretains upper flange 64.

1. A hood-like, ventilator assembly adapted for mounting on a verticalsupport wall for removing kitchen exhaust fumes entrained in a movingairstream from an area surrounding a cooking unit, including a rooftopblower for moving the airstream through an air duct to the atmosphere,said ventilator assembly comprising: (a) an overhanging hood defining aventilation opening located above said cooking unit, said hood includinga back panel, an outwardly extending top panel, a front panel, andspaced apart side panels; (b) one or more air vents formed in the toppanel of said hood and in communication with the said air duct; (c) theback panel being provided along the lower and upper substantially linearedges with first and second flanges, respectively, which are integraltherewith; (d) an underlying elongate first bracket member, having anopen channel configuration when viewed in vertical cross section, andbeing fixedly mounted on the vertical support wall, while supporting thelower first flange of the venting hood; (e) an overlying elongate secondbracket member having a wall offset configuration when seen in verticalcross section, with a first longitudinal segment thereof adapted toengage and retain the upper second flange of the back panel in abutmentto the support wall, and further having an integral second longitudinalsegment thereof being fixedly mounted to the support wall for theventilation assembly; and, (f) a fumes filter element positionedtransversely within the venting hood and adapted for the removing fumesfrom the moving air stream during the course of venting hoodutilization.
 2. The venting hood of claim 1 wherein the first bracketmember is adapted to nest interruptibly the lower first flanged memberand is also having a vertical cross section in a shape of a letter “U”presenting an open channel.
 3. The venting hood of claim 1 wherein thesecond bracket member has a cross-configuration adapted to overlap andretain the second upper flange member of the hood upright along a lowerfirst longitudinal segment thereof, and also to fixedly engage thesupport wall along an upper second longitudinal segment of the secondchannel member.
 4. The venting hood of claim 1 wherein both of the firstand second bracket members are fabricated from stainless steel.
 5. Theventing hood of claim 1 wherein each of the flange members is secured tothe support wall by a number of spaced-apart fasteners which engagevertical studs behind said support wall.
 6. The venting hood of claim 1wherein the first flange of the hood is provided with a U-shaped channelwhich is sized to seat firmly in the trough of the first bracket member.7. The venting hood of claim 1 wherein the first flange is furtherprovide with an outwardly projecting, leading edge which is adapted tocontact and retain in place one lowermost longitudinal edge of thefilter element.
 8. A method of removing kitchen exhaust fumes entrainedin a moving air stream from an area surrounding a cooking unit,comprising the steps of: (a) mounting a blower outside of the cookingarea and in communication with the atmosphere for moving air from thecooking area to the atmosphere; (b) mounting an elongate first linearbracket on a sidewall selected to support an overhanging hood located tojust above the cooking area, said first bracket being provided with anopen channel adapted to receive an elongate lower flange which isintegral with the overlying hood; (c) mounting the hood adjacent thesidewall along its lower flange which lower flange engages an openchannel, first bracket as the initial hood position; (d) rotating thelinearly supported hood into its normal upright second position adjacentthe support wall while retaining same by manual means in that secondposition; (e) mounting an elongate second linear bracket on the sidewallso as to overlap an upper flange which is integral with the uprighthood; (f) securing the second bracket to the sidewall with conventionalfastening means; and, (g) then removing the manual means initially usedto retain the hood upright.
 9. The hood assembly installation method ofclaim 8 wherein the second bracket means has a partial wall offsetconfiguration along a first longitudinal segment thereof adapted toengage and retain the upper second flange adjacent to the sidewall. 10.The hood assembly installation method of claim 8 wherein the firstbracket means presents a vertical cross-section in the shape of theletter “U” presenting an open channel.